Hill Lake

How big is Hill Lake?

How deep is Hill Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Hill Lake?

What are the closest cities to Hill Lake?

Are there topographical lake maps available Hill Lake?

We have an topograpical map for online viewing near the top of this page. Lake-Link Pro users can download an print a topograpical map of Hill Lake (.pdf format) along with 2,700 more lake maps. For more information on all the benefits of Lake-Link Pro click here.

Hill Lake North

Hill Lake South

Are there boat launches on Hill Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Hill Lake?

Hill Lake is one of the larger lakes in Aitkin County at 907 acres and is located on the east side of Hill City. The lake has a maximum depth of 48 ft. and is divided into two distinct basins by Highway 200. In addition to the public accesses (one on each basin), a fishing pier also exists in Hill City on the west side of the north basin. Hill Lake AMA on the east side of the north basin also offers unimproved access to the shoreline for shore anglers. Hill Lake has a long history of fisheries management activities dating back to an initial survey conducted in 1948. Hill is primarily managed for Walleye through alternate year supplemental fry stocking. Hill Lake is a part of the Sentinel Lakes program, and is monitored intensely by DNR, County, and MN PCA partners. The aquatic plant community in Hill Lake is relatively diverse with a narrow band of moderately dense plant growth rimming both basins. Plants grow in approximately two-thirds of the smaller southern basin, though reduced water clarity limits how deep these plants can grow. A variety of game fish are found in Hill Lake with relatively healthy populations of desirable species, and with Walleye being the primary focus of many anglers and fisheries management.

Recent declines in catch rates of Walleye (especially smaller fish) triggered a change in stocking strategy in an effort to rebuild the population. The gill net index of Walleye at Hill Lake had reached a low of 1.2 per net in 2018, whereas it had typically averaged over 8 per net from 1970 through 2015. A catch rate of 5.9 per net, in 2023, represented an increase from 2018 (1.2 per net) and 2020 (3.2 per net). This level was within the normal range for similar lake types and historical Hill Lake surveys. Nine age classes of Walleyes were observed in the gill net catch, with the 2018 and 2019 year classes making up the bulk of the sample. Some younger Walleyes were also observed, boding well for future recruitment. Past analyses of fish ages indicated that natural reproduction was a significant component of Walleye recruitment in the mid-1970s. By the mid-1980s natural reproduction was only moderate, and by 1990 was minimally contributing to the population. Occasionally the lake has produced decent year classes on its own, which suggests natural reproduction can be a significant component of recruitment, however, the current Walleye population in Hill Lake is now dependent on stocking.

The abundance of Northern Pike at Hill Lake has been increasing steadily across the seven decades of surveys. The 2023 catch rate of 7.6 per gill net was the highest we have observed at Hill Lake yet was still within the normal range for this type of lake. Higher Pike numbers often make Walleye management more challenging. The size structure of Pike remained good with an average size of 24 inches, and with fish sampled up to 37 inches. Approximately 30 percent of Pike sampled were greater than 26 inches and therefore above the upper limit of the 22-26 inch protected slot zone regulation. Hill Lake has the potential to provide quality Northern Pike angling experiences, and anglers are reminded that releasing more medium and large size fish can help immensely toward maintaining a healthy size structure.

Black Crappie catch rates in gill nets decreased since the previous survey but is in the normal range for this lake type. Crappie numbers do often go down as Walleye numbers go up. Black Crappie ranged in size from 6.9 inches to 11.7 inches, with an average length of 9.5 inches. Crappie grow well in Hill Lake and it has the potential to produce some large year classes and some large individuals on occasion.

Similar to other lakes, gill net assessments appear to indicate that abundance of Largemouth Bass has slowly increased over time; however, they appeared to have peaked in the mid-2000s and have decreased somewhat since then. Electrofishing catch rates have also decreased since a peak in 2009 and have been at more modest levels for the last three electrofishing assessments. Largemouth Bass averaged nearly 16 inches and were found up to 21 inches in the 2023 electrofishing assessment.

Net catches for Yellow Perch vary greatly and can attain very high abundance, to the point that the 1948 assessment was implemented in order to "Investigate reports of an overabundant perch population." The propensity for high perch abundance is an advantage for Walleye and Northern Pike, which prey heavily on this species. The abundance of Perch in Hill Lake is quite variable but showed a significant decrease from 36.8 per net in 2018, to 4.6 per net in 2020, and dropped to 0.3 per net in 2023, which is now below the normal range for this lake type. However this is not that unusual given the increases in their main predators, Walleye and Northern Pike.

What is the average air temp for Hill Lake?

Are there any state parks near Hill Lake?